Biogas Safety

A qualified digester designer, builder or equipment supplier should have excellent knowledge about and be sensitive to the safety needs of workers and visitors around a biogas system.

Areas of concern will likely include:

• Gas releases that are flammable, explosive or immediately toxic.
  • Hydrogen Sulfide gas, which can accumulate in the bottom of tanks and pump sumps, can kill almost instantaneously.
  • Carbon Monoxide gas can accumulate in engine and machine rooms from engine exhaust and poorly operating boilers.
  • Biogas can accumulate under roofs and ceilings in explosive mixtures.
• Confined spaces that may be immediately hazardous to life and should only be entered using appropriate procedures and equipment.
• Noise levels that require workers to wear hearing protection.
• Liquid tanks and ponds that may result in drowning.
• Pumps and other machinery that are entanglement hazards due to rotating shafts, pinch points and other moving parts.
• Biogas and manure liquids that cause rapid corrosion or failure of electrical equipment, gas handling piping and building components.
• Small children and unaware visitors who can wonder into areas of danger and become serious injured or drown.
• Ladders, platforms and roofs without guards, cages or other fall prevention measures.
• Dirty liquids and gases escaping under high pressure.

Biogas Safety-related Links

• Manure Gas Can Be Deadly
• Manure Gas Is Dangerous
• NIOSH Alert Preventing Deaths of Farm Workers in Manure Pits
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)